Revelation 5:13
καὶ πᾶν κτίσμα ὃ ἐν τῷ οὐρανῷ καὶ ἐπὶ τῆς γῆς καὶ ὑποκάτω τῆς γῆς καὶ ἐπὶ τῆς θαλάσσης ἐστί, καὶ τὰ ἐν αὐτοῖς πάντα, ἤκουσα λέγοντας· τῷ καθημένῳ ἐπὶ τοῦ θρόνου καὶ τῷ ἀρνίῳ ἡ εὐλογία καὶ ἡ τιμὴ καὶ ἡ δόξα καὶ τὸ κράτος εἰς τοὺς αἰῶνας τῶν αἰώνων.
Literal English Translation
And every creature that is in heaven and on the earth and under the earth and on the sea, and all the things in them, I heard saying: “To the one seated on the throne and to the Lamb be the blessing and the honor and the glory and the power forever and ever.”
Universal Scope in Greek Syntax
The subject πᾶν κτίσμα (“every created thing”) is neuter singular, yet it governs a collective idea. The relative clause ὃ ἐν τῷ οὐρανῷ… καὶ ἐπὶ τῆς θαλάσσης expands to four domains: heaven, earth, under the earth, and the sea. This mirrors ancient cosmology (cf. Exod. 20:11, Phil. 2:10). The use of ἐστί (present active indicative of εἰμί) locates these creatures spatially, emphasizing their current existence in each realm.
Redundant Totality
καὶ τὰ ἐν αὐτοῖς πάντα – “and all the things in them.” A Hebraic redundancy (cf. LXX style), intensifying the inclusiveness of praise. This double-layered phrase—πᾶν κτίσμα + τὰ ἐν αὐτοῖς πάντα—excludes nothing from the chorus of worship.
Hearing the Cosmos Speak
ἤκουσα λέγοντας – The verb ἤκουσα (aorist of ἀκούω) governs a participle λέγοντας (present active participle, accusative masculine plural), agreeing not with κτίσμα (neuter singular) but with the sense of the phrase as a collective of personal beings. This grammatical shift—called constructio ad sensum—is attested in both Classical and Koine Greek when collective or neuter subjects are treated as animate plural actors.
Liturgical Liturgy: Fivefold Praise Formula
τῷ καθημένῳ ἐπὶ τοῦ θρόνου καὶ τῷ ἀρνίῳ – The dative of indirect address, used with implied εἴη or ἔστω (“be”). The participle καθημένῳ (“the one seated”) characterizes God on the throne. Coordination with τῷ ἀρνίῳ (“the Lamb”) signals the full deity of the Lamb. This dative construction with five parallel nouns evokes ancient benedictions and oracles.
- ἡ εὐλογία – Blessing: expression of praise or commendation.
- ἡ τιμή – Honor: esteem or recognition of worth.
- ἡ δόξα – Glory: divine radiance or renown.
- τὸ κράτος – Power: ruling strength or dominion.
εἰς τοὺς αἰῶνας τῶν αἰώνων – “unto the ages of the ages.” A Semitic intensification (common in LXX and apocalyptic literature) meaning forever and ever. In Classical usage, αἰών could mean life, age, or era. In Revelation, it is eternal duration.
Summary Table
| Greek Phrase | Form | Meaning | Function |
|---|---|---|---|
| πᾶν κτίσμα ὃ… ἐστί | Relative clause | Every creature that is… | Describes the cosmic scope |
| ἤκουσα λέγοντας | Aorist + participle | I heard them saying | Visionary perception of worship |
| τῷ καθημένῳ… τῷ ἀρνίῳ | Dative of address | To the one seated… and the Lamb | Marks recipients of doxology |
| εὐλογία… κράτος | Nominative subject | Blessing, honor, glory, power | Fivefold liturgical praise |
| εἰς τοὺς αἰῶνας τῶν αἰώνων | Temporal phrase | Forever and ever | Eternal duration |
Closing Insight
This verse climaxes a liturgical sequence in Revelation, gathering all creation into a unified voice of worship. The Greek is elevated yet clear, with cosmic reach and rhythmic praise. It reads like a choral stanza—structured, reverent, and bursting with eternal resonance.
